Manchester United’s dressing room was still buzzing when Michael Carrick stepped in front of the cameras — and what he said next caught everyone off guard.
“I honestly didn’t know he was that good,” Carrick admitted, shaking his head in disbelief. Not angry. Not critical. Genuinely surprised.
The United boss went on to explain that what he witnessed on the pitch wasn’t just a good performance — it was a statement. A performance that changed his thinking completely.
“He proved why he should start every game,” Carrick continued. “He’s in unbelievable form right now.”
Those words alone sent shockwaves through the fanbase. Because this wasn’t praise handed out lightly — this was a manager openly admitting he may have underestimated one of his own players.
Carrick broke it down in detail:
Every pass was clean.
Every decision was correct.
Every movement made sense.
“There was no panic, no wasted touches,” he added. “Everything was done beautifully.”
What stood out most, according to Carrick, was the maturity. The composure under pressure. The way the player dictated the tempo when the game threatened to become chaotic.
“He played like someone who belongs at the very top level,” Carrick said. “And I don’t say that lightly.”
Inside Old Trafford, those comments landed hard. Because fans immediately began asking the same question:
How has he not been starting regularly before now?
Some supporters believe this was the breakthrough moment — the game where a hidden gem finally forced his way into the manager’s plans. Others argue Carrick’s words expose a bigger issue: that United may have been holding back one of their most in-form players for far too long.
Social media erupted within minutes.
One fan wrote: “If Carrick didn’t know he was that good, what does that say about previous selections?”
Another added: “This explains everything. Start him every week. No debate.”
Even former players weighed in, suggesting Carrick’s honesty — while refreshing — raises uncomfortable questions about trust, squad rotation, and missed opportunities earlier in the season.
Behind the scenes, sources say teammates were not surprised at all. They’ve reportedly seen this level in training for weeks — maybe months.
“The lads knew,” one insider claimed. “It was only a matter of time before everyone else caught up.”
Carrick closed the conversation with one final line that only fueled the fire further:
“Performances like that make my job very difficult — but in the best way possible.”
Now the debate is raging.
Was this a one-off masterclass?
Or the beginning of a new guaranteed starter at Manchester United?
